Distributed power harvesting systems using DC power sources
First Claim
1. A photovoltaic panel comprising:
- a plurality of photovoltaic power sources connected in parallel across power source terminals;
a direct current power converter coupled to the power source terminals, wherein the direct current power converter comprises output terminals and one or more of a capacitor, an inductor, and a transistor, wherein the direct current power converter is configured to convert input power received at the power source terminals to an output power at the output terminals; and
a bypass diode connected in shunt across the power source terminals.
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Abstract
A photovoltaic panel with multiple photovoltaic sub-strings including serially-connected photovoltaic cells and having direct current (DC) outputs adapted for interconnection in parallel into a parallel-connected DC power source. A direct current (DC) power converter including input terminals and output terminals is adapted for coupling to the parallel-connected DC power source and for converting an input power received at the input terminals to an output power at the output terminals. The direct current (DC) power converter optionally has a control loop configured to set the input power received at the input terminals according to a previously determined criterion. The control loop may be adapted to receive a feedback signal from the input terminals for maximizing the input power. A bypass diode is typically connected in shunt across the input terminals of the converter. The bypass diode functions by passing current during a failure of any of the sub-strings and/or a partial shading of the sub-strings. The bypass diode may be a single bypass diode connected across the parallel-connected DC power source. The DC power converter may convert the input power at high current to the output power at a lower current. The output terminals may be connectible with wire cables to a load, and the DC power converter is configured to reduce energy loss through the wire cables to the load.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A photovoltaic panel comprising:
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a plurality of photovoltaic power sources connected in parallel across power source terminals; a direct current power converter coupled to the power source terminals, wherein the direct current power converter comprises output terminals and one or more of a capacitor, an inductor, and a transistor, wherein the direct current power converter is configured to convert input power received at the power source terminals to an output power at the output terminals; and a bypass diode connected in shunt across the power source terminals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method comprising:
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connecting a plurality of photovoltaic power sources in parallel across input terminals of a direct current power converter; and attaching a bypass diode in shunt across the input terminals. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system comprising:
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a plurality of photovoltaic assemblies each comprising;
a plurality of photovoltaic sources, a direct current power converter, a diode, and output terminals, wherein the plurality of photovoltaic sources are connected in parallel to an input of the direct current power converter, the diode is connected across the input of the direct current power converter, and the output terminals are connected to an output of the direct current power converter; andan inverter comprising inverter input terminals, wherein the plurality of photovoltaic assemblies are connected in a series string at their output terminals, and wherein the inverter input terminals are connected to the series string. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification